UN rejects requests of Phl on peacekeepers in Golan Heights

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - President Benigno S. Aquino III admitted today that most of the government's requests to the United Nations to bolster the security of the Filipino peacekeepers in Golan Heights were turned down.

Prior to the recent decision of the Philippine government to withdraw the Filipino contingent to UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Golan Heights, Aquino had said that his administration would ask UN to improve the safety of the peacekeeping force after about 30 Filipino soldiers were captured by Syrian rebels in March and May this year.

"For the longest time, we have sought permission to arm our soldiers with higher-powered guns, given the rise in fighting in the area we have been tasked to protect," the president said in a speech in an event in Malacanang, the presidential palace.

"Though we were not granted many of our requests, it remained apparent: All the Philippine soldiers there, from the newest private to their colonel, displayed valor and their skill in carrying out their duties," he said.

He expressed support on the action taken by the Filipino peacekeepers who were figured in a standoff with Syrian rebels in Golan Heights late last month.

"Under duress, they made a plan, they acted on it, and they saved each other from peril," Aquino said, referring to the standoff, which ended after seven-hour of firefight with the Syrian militants.

The Philippine government has decided not to send anymore peacekeepers to Golan Heights after the tour of duty of more than 300 Filipino forces ends next month.